Hotels near Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are the dramatic 135-step staircase that links Piazza di Spagna at the bottom with the church of Trinità dei Monti at the top. Built between 1723 and 1725 by Francesco de Sanctis, the steps were funded by a French diplomat and named after the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. They were the meeting point for 18th-century Grand Tour artists - John Keats died in the pink house at the foot of the staircase in 1821, now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House museum.

At the bottom, Bernini's father Pietro designed the Fontana della Barcaccia in the shape of a half-sunken boat. Via dei Condotti runs west from the piazza and is Rome's most famous luxury shopping street - Bulgari, Prada, Gucci, and Valentino all have flagships here. Sitting on the steps is forbidden and fines are enforced.

Pro Tip: Climb to the top before sunset, walk through the small piazza by Trinità dei Monti, then descend Via Sistina towards the Quirinal Palace. The light, the church, and the panoramic city views from the top are worth the climb.